Many people attending a Woodlore Wilderness Bushcraft course will have first encountered Ray Mears through his popular TV programmes. Ray is recognised around the world as a leading authority on Bushcraft and Survival. His television series' have included: Tracks, World of Survival, The Essential Guide to Rocks, Extreme Survival, Trips Money Can't Buy, The Real Heroes of Telemark, Bushcraft Survival and the recent Wild Food.
In all of these series Ray presents genuinely useful and interesting information in a non-sensational style that contrasts with many of today's overly dramatic television productions. He is clearly happy and at home with many of the worlds indigenous people who have warmed to his friendship and shared with him their wisdom and bushcraft skills. He is single handedly responsible for having gathered a vast collection of invaluable information that could so easily have been lost.
Ray's love of the outdoors and his affinity with nature has developed throughout his life. He grew up in Southern England where, as a boy, he learned to track animals, build shelters and sleep out using the most basic of equipment. It was an inspiring judo teacher who told him "You don't need equipment, you need knowledge to survive in the wild."
He personally established the School of Wilderness Bushcraft in 1983 in order to share the knowledge of Bushcraft. Bushcraft is all about being practical and resourceful. The school's approach is unique in that they encourage people to open their eyes and, by so doing, learn through discovery. The courses are not about being tough or behaving like a commando. They are about developing empathy and understanding that brings about the ability to not only survive but to thrive in the natural world.
The range of Bushcraft Courses include short 2 day introductory courses, ideal for the novice or those with little time, who want to sample what's available on the longer courses. There are special family courses that have been specifically designed to enable families to enjoy their voyage of discovery together. There is even a bushcraft course for juniors, intended for young people aged between 11 and 16. The courses cover many of the fundamental bushcraft survival skills including firelighting, building shelters, finding water, nature awareness, animal tracking and much more.
For the more intrepid adventurer there are the expedition courses. These involve some fantastic adventures including Arctic survival in Lapland, canoeing in the Ardeche, Nordic Skiiing and following in the footsteps of the real heroes of Telemark. These courses are designed for those who enjoy a challenge and can be quite demanding as well as exceptionally rewarding.
For those looking for comprehensive bushcraft instruction there are a range of one week courses. These go way beyond the basics that are covered in the shorter, introductory courses. They can be very tough and demanding and are therefore not suitable for everybody. There are one week courses in animal tracking and nature awareness, first aid, navigation in the wilderness and extensive coverage of bushcraft skills.
Woodlore not only provide courses and training in bushcraft and survival. They also provide an online shop that sells an exceptional range of top quality outdoor equipment that is not only excellent for those participating in the various Woodlore courses, but is ideal for the casual weekend camper. All of the equipment and outdoor clothing in the Woodlore online shop has been carefully chosen for its quality and robustness. This is where you will find many of the items that you will see regularly used by Ray in his television series.
For example, you must have noticed the bandana that Ray often wears along with the classic woodsman shirt. Both of these excellent items of practical outdoor wear are available from the Woodlore online store. In fact, the woodsman shirt was developed by Ray himself to his own exacting specification.
The Ray Mears website is packed with enormously useful information like the excellent bushcraft tips and advice. You will also find some handy kit lists and even a few excerpts from the Ray Mears' TV series. If you're interested in bushcraft or, like me, an armchair traveller you will appreciate the wealth of quality information, the outstanding quality outdoor equipment and the range of Ray Mears DVDs and books.
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